NHTSA — Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Upper Ball Joint Problems

CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Stratus, Intrepid & other Chrysler sedans are infamous for oil sludge problems with the 2.7L V6 engine. If someone offers to sell you a 2.7L V6 model, it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into.

NOTE: Only the 2.7L V6 has the oil sludge problem. Our "Avoid like the Plague" designation is ONLY for models with the 2.7L V6 engine. All other available engines are very reliable with no major problems.

Even with regular maintenance, the oil sludge defect eventually destroys the 2.7L engine typically around 80,000-100,000 miles. The only true fix we know about is to put in the larger 3.2L engine, which has a great reputation. Also the 2.4L engine doesn't have the oil sludge problem.

This issue was never deemed a safety defect by the Feds, so there was no recall. In the end, Chrysler got away with FOUR YEARS worth of defective 2.7L V6 engines in their sedans.

3.7

definitely annoying

Crashes / Fires:

0 / 0

Injuries / Deaths:

0 / 0

Average Mileage:

34,538 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

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2001 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

Stratus 4-cyl

Automatic transmission

57,654 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car is a 2001 dogde Stratus 4 door ES. The car has 57,000 miles on it. At the time of purchase I also purchase an extended warrenty from the dealer. The was from first extended service Corp. Ganley East Inc. At 28840 euclid ave. Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. I was driving to work on Thursday 6-16-05, starting out on side roads to then the freeway and then to a main route to my work. After getting off the freeway I have about a 15 min ride. As I was pulling into my parking lot I heard a loud bang. The car at this point had a hard time moving. I called the dealer and then the extended warranty place to see if the broken (front, passenger side) control arm / ball joint was covered and they said yes. After having the vehicle towed to the dealer which costed me $100. The dealer inspected the car and told the extended warranty that the reason the control arm snapped was because of rust or corrosion. Being a major part on the car and the seriousness of this if the part would of snap as I was doing 65 on the freeway, I might not of been here typing this complaint. The dealer said it was out of there hands upon payment and before this the extended warrenty company said it was out of their hands as well because the dealer said that it failed because of rust. At the dealer I was never asked if I wanted the bad parts back or to see them, they never washed my vehicle after the service and after leaving the dealer and driving 2 miles after the vehicle was serviced and supposedly inspected the hub cap flew off the car and almost caused me to have an accident on the way home. I was able to retrieve the hub cap and go back to the dealer, were they determined that it was broken up either putting in on or taking it off. They were soooo nice to order me another one at their cost. I was charged $680.43 for the repairs plus another $100 for the tow to another company. After researching your web site I have found at least 5 other similiar complaints with the same make, model, year and parts.

Stratus 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

29,500 miles

Consumer was driving 25 mph when the vehicle jerked as if it had struck a pot hole. Consumer got out to check the vehicle, and noticed the rear passenger tire was nearly off. The ball joints were defective and needed to be repaired. The manufacture offers no assistance. Rear upper ball joints replaced and 4 wheel alignment performed.

Stratus

Automatic transmission

miles

Left rear tire was cocked outward. Dealer inspected and said upper ball joints were blown out on both sides. Car was never in collision, and only 44K miles on it. Also, interior dash lights flicker when turn signal is used, clicks around corners, seats don't always stay locked in place. It's still under warranty!! I don't want to pay $600 to fix a problem I did not cause.

Stratus

51,000 miles

While driving, heard a "screeching" noise and noticed smoke coming from vehicle. Dealer diagnosed that the rear upper ball joints had failed and the lower ball joints were ready to fail. Dealer also discovered that the tie rods were loose. Related investigation PE03-032

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